What items should be included in an earthquake emergency kit?

February 19, 2021

If you live in a fault zone, you need to make sure you are prepared for an earthquake. Even if you have never experienced one or think the chances are low, you should still have emergency supplies in easily accessible locations.

You will need not one, but two, earthquake emergency kits and you can easily put them together yourself.

Stay at home kit

If an earthquake strikes you may not need to evacuate but could be stuck in your home without essential services like water, power, phones, stores or transit. Make sure you have everything you need to survive for at least 72 hours.

What you should include in a home emergency kit:

• At least 4 litres of water per person per day
• Food
• Can opener
• Canned and non-perishable food
• Paper plates and cups
• Cutlery
• A first aid kit
• Toilet paper and personal hygiene supplies
• Medication
• Shovel
• Ax
• Rope
• Gloves
• Fire extinguisher
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting or tarps
• N95 masks
• Extra clothing and shoes
• Bleach
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Cards, books, or other activities to pass the time
• Duct tape
• Supplies for your children
• Pet supplies including your pets’ microchip and medical information and list of contacts who can take care of them in an emergency
• Matches or lighters
• Flashlight
• Radio
• Batteries
• Maps
• Multi-tool
• ID and documents
• Cell phone chargers
• Scissors
• Cash
• Knife
• Water purifier or purification tablets

Evacuation kit

Make sure you have an earthquake emergency evacuation kit with everything you might need near the door in case you need to leave your home. Every family member should have their own custom evacuation kit at home and at work. Check your kits regularly for expired items. It might be easiest to check them twice a year when the time changes.

Items to include in your evacuation kit:

• A backpack to put your supplies in
• Phone cards
• Phone charger
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Candles and matches or lighters
• Water
• Sleeping bag or blanket
• First aid kit
• ID
• Money
• Medication
• Radio
• Whistle
• Personal hygiene products
• Portable food like energy bars
• Money
• Shoes and clothing
• Anything you need for your kids or pets

First aid kit

You should have a first aid kit in each of your other emergency kits.

What should your first aid kits include?

• Information about your family’s medical history and allergies, insurance company, doctors and emergency contacts
• Bandages
• Gauze
• Band-Aids
• Butterfly closures
• Eyewash
• Scissors
• Allergy medication
• Pain medication
• Burn cream
• Finger splints
• Cold pack
• Hot pack
• Gloves
• Cotton swabs
• Antiseptic towelettes
• Tweezers